• by Ray Schultz , Columnist, Yesterday

USA Today is leaning into British royalty, hiring Jennifer Hassan as its first Royals reporter.  

Hassan will concentrate on building this, the latest vertical of USA Today Entertainment. She will provide breaking news, enterprise reporting, features and audience-driven coverage of the royal family.  

Cynics might wonder, as H.L. Mencken wrote in another context, if we are a free nation or a crown colony. 

Still, it should be fun, especially given King Charles III’s recent celebrated speech before Congress. And Hassan will look beyond the glamour to cover controversies and the cultural significance of the monarchy. 

“Jennifer brings the speed to break news and the depth to put it in context,” says Wendy Naugle, executive editor of entertainment, USA Today Network. “We are thrilled to have her as we continue to expand our entertainment content.” 

She certainly has the background: Based in London, Hassan has served The Washington Post for a decade, covering global news and the monarchy, including such events as the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles.

Her first role at the Post was as its world news social media editor. 

“I’ve spent years covering the royal family, and joining USA Today feels like the perfect next chapter,” Hassan says. “I look forward to bringing readers closer to the stories shaping the monarchy today.”